On October 21, 2015, our 6th graders at Thompson Middle School went on a field trip to a local family owned farm in Thompson called Fort Hill Farms. Every year the farm creates an agricultural adventure with their corn maze with a different theme. The 2015 Corn Maze Adventure at Fort Hill Farms celebrated this year with a celestial theme and created a “Milky Way” themed maze. This tied in nicely with the unit our 6th graders were learning about in science. Our unit in class included learning about the galaxy, solar system and the Milky Way. As the students entered the maze, they were given a game sheet and had to search for clues among the corn stalks to complete their sheet. Working closely with the owner Mrs. Orr, we were also able to have an astronomer volunteer to join our class at the farm and give a 40 minute hands-on lesson to our 6th graders. This was such a great added educational experience for them. We were able to wrap up our visit with lunch at the farm and purchase their locally made Farmer’s Cow ice cream if we chose. It was a great day for our 6th graders filled with many memories and learning adventures. ...

Through a generous grant from a Foundation that chooses to remain anonymous, Thompson Public Schools is able to engage their teachers and students in a wealth of science education opportunities provided by Mystic Aquarium in partnership with EASTCONN. Teachers received professional development and curriculum that helps meet their instructional needs and provided motivating hands-on lessons for their students. Students and teacher also engaged in a number or experiential learning opportunities that included a field trip to Mystic Aquarium and a coastal field study. Mystic Aquarium also provided an inspirational career speaking event for the district, where students learned all about the career path of one of the Aquarium’s animal...

PBIS – Making It Work In A Small CT District Nestled in the Northeastern corner of the state, the Thompson Public Schools serve approximately 1,260 Connecticut students (CEDaR, 2011). The district’s central office, high school, middle school, and elementary school all inhabit one campus; in fact, the buildings are all connected. In a small district like Thompson, the importance of taking a district-wide approach to behavior management is paramount. Read more by clicking here… Article from Connecticut State Personnel Development Grant(SPDG) submitted by Sarah-Ann Nicholas and Alice Henley, Technical Assistance...

Chorus students from Thompson Middle School recently performed at Thompson’s Community Day on Sunday, September 27th at Riverside Park. This is always a fun performance for the students because they get to sing outside, a much different environment than the usual auditorium concert. They are thrilled to be invited to perform each year and it’s a great motivator for students right at the start of the school year. TMS students choose to participate in chorus and there are currently 89 students enrolled from grades 5 through 8. Community Day is an optional performance for them but they had their largest turn out yet with almost half of the students participating! Chorus members from the 7th and 8th grades started the annual event by performing a stirring rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” as members of the Boy Scouts presented our American flag. Following several community and volunteer awards, the chorus returned to the stage to perform Katy Perry’s hit song “Roar.” The students really enjoyed performing this song and connected to its message of triumphing over anything that stands as an obstacle in your life. The 5th and 6th grade chorus members anxiously awaited their turn to perform for their family and friends. They were finally welcomed to the stage to perform the songs “Autumn-ish Feeling,” “Autumnal Equinox,” and “We’ll Figure It Out.” The songs were enthusiastically sung and featured some challenging harmony parts. Following the performance, 5th grader Paige Veilleux-Catlin was asked how performing made her feel. “It makes me feel brave and free,” she replied. All of the students that performed did a great job and set...